National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

What Educators Can Do to Prevent Youth Violence            

(Printable Version)

• Develop a Safe School Plan. Bring together a team of educators, students, parents, law enforcement and juvenile justice officials, and community and business leaders to develop a comprehensive violence prevention plan for your school. The plan should be developed after an assessment of the types of problems occurring in your school, the needs of your students, the resources that are available, and the types of programs that have been demonstrated to be effective in other schools and communities.
• Establish before- and after-school programs. Work with community groups and law enforcement officials to have your school open before and after school so that students and their families have places where they can engage in productive, well-supervised, and safe activities. The programs offered should include a range of options, such as counseling, tutoring, clubs, community service, and help with homework.
• Teach conflict resolution skills. Offer programs that teach peaceful, nonviolent methods for managing conflict to students and their families, as well as to staff. Incorporate conflict resolution and anger management skills into classroom curricula. Involve students in developing standards of acceptable behavior for the classroom. Teach and practice social skills, helping students to learn to manage their anger, solve problems, negotiate with their peers, listen actively, communicate effectively, and resolve conflict. Demonstrate conflict resolution skills in your interactions with students, and guide them in applying them in everyday life.
• Ensure that opportunities exist for adults to spend quality personal time with children. A positive relationship with an adult who is available to provide support is one of the most critical factors in preventing school violence. Encourage adults in the community to become involved with the school and to develop mentoring relationships with students. Involve families in meaningful ways. Regularly invite parents to talk with you about their children's progress and any concerns they have. Send home notes celebrating children's achievements.
• Learn to recognize warning signs. All staff should learn to recognize the warning signs that a child might be having problems or headed for trouble and should know how to tap school resources to get appropriate help.
• Enforce school policies. Encourage all staff, from teachers to lunchroom workers, to firmly and consistently enforce school policies that seek to reduce the risk of violence. Take responsibility for hallways and other areas outside the classroom, as well as the classroom itself. Do not tolerate bullying, harassment, name-calling, or teasing among students; take immediate action, following an established protocol.
• Report threats, crimes, or suspicious activities. All students and staff should be encouraged to promptly report threats, crimes, or activities that make them suspicious, such as signs or discussions of weapons, or signs of gang activity. Students should be able to share their needs, fears, concerns, and anxieties, and also safely report threats, without fear of reprisal.

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The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last Updated: 12/27/2007